The unpredictable character of congenital cystic lung lesions

Thoracoscopic surgery for congenital lung malformations: Does previous infection really matter?

BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE

Elective resection of congenital lung malformations (CLMs) is still debatable. The two main risks are malignant transformation and recurrent pulmonary infections. Our study aimed to assess the effect of previous pulmonary infection on the intraoperative and postoperative courses of thoracoscopic surgery for CLMs.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study including all thoracoscopic lung resections for CLMs between 2010 and 2019. Ninety patients were included. There was a history of previous pulmonary infection in 28 patients (group A) and no such history in 62 patients (group B).

RESULTS

The median age at operation for group A was 20.4 months (IQR:14.9-41.4) versus 15.1 months (IQR:9.7-20.8) in group B (p = 0.006). There were 10 conversions (35.7%) in group A and 8 (12.9%) in group B (p = 0.02). The operative time was significantly shorter in group B (p<0.002). In group A, 32.1% of patients experienced postoperative fever versus 11.3% of group B (p = 0.03), with higher antibiotics requirement (28.6% versus 6.5% respectively, p = 0.007). However, no significant differences were found in terms of postoperative complications (p = 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Earlier intervention for CLMs before the development of pulmonary infection carries higher chances for the success of the thoracoscopic approach with shorter operative time and more uneventful postoperative courses.

Non-operative management of extralobar pulmonary sequestration: a safe alternative to resection?

PURPOSE

This retrospective cohort study compares the natural history of patients with extralobar sequestrations (ELS) who do not undergo intervention with those who undergo resection to assess the safety of non-operative management.

METHODS

126 patients with pulmonary sequestrations or congenital pulmonary airway malformations born between 1999 and 2016 were identified. 49 patients had ELS on postnatal imaging, but two were excluded for associated congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed, with phone follow-up for non-operative patients with no records for > 1 year. Statistical analysis was by Fisher's exact test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test (two-tailed p < 0.05).

RESULTS

40% (19/47) were managed non-operatively and 60% (28/47) underwent resection. Non-operative patients were less likely to have an intrathoracic ELS: 47% (9/19) vs. 75% (21/28), p = 0.07. No symptoms were attributable directly to the ELS. Non-operative patients had median follow-up 3.2 years, during which time 88% (15/17) of ELS decreased in size on serial imaging. For patients who underwent resection, there was 100% concordance between imaging and intraoperative findings. There was no evidence of inflammation, infection or malignancy on final pathology, though 57% (16/28) of resected lesions had foci of non-aerated cysts.

CONCLUSIONS

Although further longitudinal study is required, this study supports the safety of non-operative ELS management.

Clinical presentation and outcome in congenital pulmonary malformation: 25 year retrospective study in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Congenital pulmonary malformations (CPM) are a group of rare abnormal lung development lesions that can have various presentations. The aim of this study was to define the differences in the clinical presentations of CPM in neonates, infants, and children, and to review the outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in southern Thailand between 1992 and 2016.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients were diagnosed with CPM, and the median age at onset was 1.7 months (IQR, 0.03-10 months). There were 33 cases (61.1%) of congenital pulmonary airway malformations, two (3.7%) of bronchogenic cyst, eight of (14.8%) congenital lobar emphysema, seven of (13.0%) pulmonary sequestrations, and four of (7.4%) congenital lung cysts. Twenty patients under 1 month old and 16 patients who were 1-12 months old had symptoms of respiratory distress. In contrast, 13 patients >1 year old had symptoms of pulmonary infection. There were significant differences in the numbers of patients who had cyanosis (P = 0.006), cough (P < 0.001), and fever (P < 0.001) between the three age groups. Thirty-eight patients (70%) required surgical treatment involving lobectomy (78.9%). Median follow-up duration was 28.1 months (IQR, 3.7-9.4 months). Nine of 10 patients had abnormal lung function tests, and 80.6% of patients had no subsequent limitations in physical activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory distress is the important clinical feature in neonates and infants, whereas the signs of pulmonary infection usually occur in children >1 year old. Good outcomes usually occur after surgery but need long-term follow up including lung function assessment.

Cystic and pseudocystic pulmonary malformations in children: Clinico-pathological correlation

Pulmonary malformations are rare disorders, with cystic and pseudocystic pulmonary malformations (CPPM) the most frequent, and constitute the first cause of lobectomy in children <1 year of age. Morphological overlap of congenital cystic pulmonary lesions might correspond to a spectrum of lesions in which bronchial atresia is a common etiopathogenetic mechanism. We aimed to report the frequency of CPPM resected in a tertiary-level hospital and to evaluate the degree of agreement between presurgical and anatomopathological diagnoses. We studied 44 surgical pieces with a diagnosis of CPPM received at the Pathology Service from 2009 to 2014, resected from 39 patients, 51.3 % males, with a median age of 16.8 months. Up to 69.2% of the patients had adenomatoid malformation of pulmonary airway (AMPA), with type 2 the most frequent (55.5%). Pulmonary sequestration was present in 15.4% of patients; in two cases the diagnosis was an incidental finding during surgery for the repair of a diaphragmatic hernia. Congenital lobar hyperinflation (CLH) occurred in 7.6% cases. Bronchogenic cyst (BC) was present in 7.6% cases. Presurgical and anatomopathological diagnoses in all patients coincided in 71.8% of cases. Kappa coefficient was 0.56 for global concordance in patients with AMPA, and 0.72, 0.64, 0.37 and 0.33 for CLH, BC, and types 1 and 2 AMPA, respectively. This relatively low interobserver agreement could reflect the low reproducibility of diagnoses used in the current nomenclature. Thus, the new nomenclature must be promoted in order to allow for better reproducibility and greater clinico-pathological concordance. The anatomopathological analysis must include the intentional search for bronchial atresia.

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital lobar fluid overload

Prenatal congenital lobar fluid overload (CLFO), which was first described by Ramsay and Byron, is identical to postnatal congenital lobar overinflation. It is characterized by progressive lobar overexpansion that compresses the other adjacent lung lobes. The underlying cause can be an intrinsic cartilaginous abnormality or an extrinsic airway compression. It may be associated with cardiovascular anomalies in 12%-14% of cases and affects males more frequently than females. Most cases are diagnosed postnatally, but early antenatal diagnosis and sequential follow-up are attempted for early treatment, if clinically indicated. This article provided a thorough review of CLFO, including prenatal diagnosis and differential diagnoses, as well as comprehensive illustrations of the perinatal imaging findings of CLFO. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal lung lesions should include CLFO in the differential diagnosis and prompt investigation for associated anomalies.

Treatment of congenital pulmonary airway malformations: a systematic review from the APSA outcomes and evidence based practice committee

PURPOSE

Variation in management characterizes treatment of infants with a congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). This review addresses six clinically applicable questions using available evidence to provide recommendations for the treatment of these patients.

METHODS

Questions regarding the management of a pediatric patient with a CPAM were generated. English language articles published between 1960 and 2014 were compiled after searching Medline and OvidSP. The articles were divided by subject area and by the question asked, then reviewed and included if they specifically addressed the proposed question.

RESULTS

1040 articles were identified on initial search. After screening abstracts per eligibility criteria, 130 articles were used to answer the proposed questions. Based on the available literature, resection of an asymptomatic CPAM is controversial, and when performed is usually completed within the first six months of life. Lobectomy remains the standard resection method for CPAM, and can be performed thoracoscopically or via thoracotomy. There is no consensus regarding a monitoring protocol for observing asymptomatic lesions, although at least one chest computerized tomogram (CT) should be performed postnatally for lesion characterization. An antenatally identified CPAM can be evaluated with MRI if fetal intervention is being considered, but is not required for the fetus with a lesion not at risk for hydrops. Prenatal consultation should be offered for infants with CPAM and encouraged for those infants in whom characteristics indicate risk of hydrops.

CONCLUSIONS

Very few articles provided definitive recommendations for care of the patient with a CPAM and none reported Level I or II evidence. Based on available information, CPAMs are usually resected early in life if at all. A prenatally diagnosed congenital lung lesion should be evaluated postnatally with CT, and prenatal counseling should be undertaken in patients at risk for hydrops.

Cystic Pulmonary Airway Malformation in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Cystic pulmonary airway malformation, or Craig’s disease, is a rare congenital abnormality of lung development. Medical imaging, particularly Doppler ultrasound, is currently one of the recommended methods for prenatal diagnosis and for the monitoring of this condition. We report three cases of Craig’s disease diagnosed at ultrasound: one at 26 weeks of amenorrhea and two others at 30 weeks of amenorrhea. We discuss according to the literature the main ultrasound aspects and specify the place of other radiographic explorations during the monitoring of this condition.

Vanishing fetal lung malformations: Prenatal sonographic characteristics and postnatal outcomes

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the natural history and outcomes of prenatally diagnosed lung masses that appear to undergo complete regression before birth.

METHODS

An IRB-approved retrospective review was performed on 100 consecutive fetuses with a congenital lung malformation at a single fetal center. Prenatal and postnatal imaging as well as outcomes of vanishing fetal masses was analyzed and compared to those with persistent fetal masses.

RESULTS

Seventeen lesions (17%) became sonographically undetectable at 35.3 ± 2.3 weeks gestation. Vanishing fetal masses were associated with microcystic disease (100% vs. 69%, p=0.005) and a low initial congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio (CVR; 0.31 ± 0.35 vs. 0.70 ± 0.66, p=0.002) when compared to those with persistent fetal lesions. Based on postnatal CT imaging and pathology data, 10.3% of all fetal masses completely regressed. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of prenatal ultrasound for detecting lung malformations in late gestation were 96% and 43%, respectively. All infants with vanishing fetal lesions were asymptomatic at birth and were more likely to be managed nonoperatively (75% vs. 22%, p<0.0001) when compared to infants with persistent fetal masses.

CONCLUSIONS

Vanishing lung lesions late in gestation are relatively common and are associated with a low CVR and microcystic disease.

Antenatally diagnosed lung malformations: a plea for long-term outcome studies

There is a wide variation in the management of infants with antenatally diagnosed lung malformations, with many paediatric surgeons and respiratory paediatricians recommending early investigations for all infants and a surgical excision for the majority of lesions, while others favour a conservative management for all asymptomatic infants. The benefits and risks of a surgical intervention have to be compared with the natural history of the untreated malformation and cohort studies from foetal diagnosis to adult life are required to provide the relevant evidence. Careful and repeated surveillance of identified foetuses is essential as recent advances in foetal medicine and surgery have improved the outcomes for the small minority, who are at risk of developing hydrops.

[Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations of the lung: diagnosis, treatment, pathophysiological hypothesis]

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM) of the lung are the most frequent congenital lung malformations. Their diagnosis is based on histological features. CCAM consist of bronchopulmonary cystic lesions which are classified according to the presence and cysts size. Type I CCAM are composed of large cysts (>2 cm) lined by a columnar pseudostratified epithelium. Type II CCAM contain multiple small cystic lesions (<1 cm) lined by a flattened cuboidal epithelium. Type III CCAM are more solid and contain immature structures resembling the pseudoglandular stage of lung development. Ultrasonography (US) allows early detection during the second trimester of pregnancy as cystic, and/or hyperechoic fetal lung lesions. Although most CCAM remain asymptomatic, CCAM can cause polyhydramnios or fetal hydrops, respiratory distress at birth, infections and pneumothoraces during infancy, and may give rise to malignancies. Serial US allow detection of complications, and planification of delivery. Complicated forms require an urgent treatment. In fetuses with a macrocystic life-threatening lesion, a thoraco-amniotic shunt can be placed. Microcystic compressive forms may respond to prenatal steroids. Post-natal symptomatic lesions require early surgery. The treatment of asymptomatic forms remains controversial. Some recommend a non-operative approach with a long-term clinical and radiological following, whereas other favour a preventive surgical excision. The origin of CCAM remains unknown. Recent advances suggest a transient and focal abnormality in lung development which may result from an airway obstruction. This article reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and pathophysiology of CCAM.

Pre and perinatal aspects of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung

OBJECTIVE

To identify the incidence of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM) at birth; to evaluate prenatal and perinatal history, association with clinical and sociodemographic variables and concordance between CT scan results and anatomopathology studies.

METHOD

Descriptive study based on the registry of malformed newborns, deliveries and patients records between August 1990 and November 2010. Ultrasonic, clinical, imaging and anatomopathologic information were studied. Association studies were made using chi-square test. Kappa was used to correlate CT scan to anatomopathology results.

RESULTS

The incidence was 1:1980 (25/49 503). The mean gestational age for detection by ultrasonography was 24 ± 3.7 weeks. There were progression of the lesions in 11 cases (44%), stability in 6 (24%) and regression in 8 (32%). Three cases of CCAM followed due to polyhydramnios/hydrops died. There were neither familial cases nor association with sex, weight, age or maternal parity (p > 0.15). Radiographic abnormalities were found in 22/23 studied patients. The correspondence between CT scan and anatomopathologic was 0.77 (Kappa).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence was higher than the one described in the literature, probably, because it is a reference center in fetal medicine. The prenatal lesion involution rate was 32%, an intermediate proportion. There was good concordance between CT scan and anatomopathologic results. The polyhydramnios/hydrops were predictive of worst prognosis.

Bronchogenic cyst: Clinical course from antenatal diagnosis to postnatal thoracoscopic resection

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to describe an approach to surgical management of bronchogenic cysts based on the natural course observed from the time of antenatal screening to surgical resection in patients treated at our institution and reported in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features of all children presenting bronchogenic cyst diagnosed antenatally from 2007 to 2010. A total of six children were included.

RESULTS:

Antenatal diagnosis was accurate in 62.5% of cases. In the first year of life, the size of the cyst remained stable in four patients, doubled in one, and increased 30% within six months in one. The indication for surgery was emphysema of the left bronchus in two patients and rapid growth in two patients. One patient is still awaiting surgery.

CONCLUSION:

Bronchogenic cysts grow slowly in the first months of life, but growth is exponential even in the absence of complications. We recommend complete resection before the age of two years to prevent infectious complications and facilitate surgery.

Fetal lung lesions: can we start to breathe easier?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple and accurate approach for risk stratification of fetal lung lesions that are associated with respiratory compromise at birth.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective review of 64 prenatal lung lesions that were managed at a single fetal care referral center (2001-2011). Sonographic data were analyzed and correlated with perinatal outcomes.

RESULTS

Hydrops occurred in only 4 cases (6.3%). Among fetuses without hydrops, the congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio (CVR) was the only variable that was associated significantly with respiratory compromise and the need for lung resection at birth (P < .01). Based on a maximum CVR >1.0, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for respiratory morbidity were 90%, 93%, 75%, and 98%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Nonhydropic fetuses with a maximum CVR >1.0 are a subgroup of patients who are at increased risk for respiratory morbidity and the need for surgical intervention. These patients should be delivered at a tertiary care center with pediatric surgery expertise to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.

Antenatal and postnatal management of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation

Congenital thoracic malformations (CTMs) are a heterogeneous group of rare disorders that may involve the airways or lung parenchyma. The authors have focused on the condition that causes the most controversy, namely, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). The reported incidence is 3.5 and 0.94 per 10,000 live births for CTMs and CCAMs respectively. Ultrasound is the antenatal imaging modality of choice for screening for CCAMs whilst magnetic resonance imaging is complimentary for morphological and volumetric evaluation of the foetal lung. Most CCAMs are detected antenatally with only a small proportion presenting postnatally. Only a few CCAMs cause foetal problems, with foetal hydrops being the best predictor of death. Although many CCAMs regress during pregnancy, most remain detectable postnatally by CT scans. Surgical excision of symptomatic lesions is relatively straightforward, but management of asymptomatic lesions is controversial. Some surgeons adopt a "wait and see" approach operating only on those patients who develop symptoms, but others operate on asymptomatic patients usually within the first year of life. Due to the potential of malignant transformation, children should have long term follow up. There is an urgent need to delineate the natural history of antenatally detected CCAMs to guide future management.

Bronchogenic cyst: best time for surgery?

BACKGROUND

Bronchogenic cyst (BC) is a benign congenital mediastinal tumor whose natural course remains unclear. In adults, most BCs are removed by thoracotomy after complications. Currently, prenatal diagnosis is generally feasible and allows an early thoracoscopic intervention. The purpose of this retrospective study was to ascertain the best time for the operation.

METHODS

Reviewed were 36 patients (11 children, 25 adults) with a BC managed from 2000 to 2011. Clinical history, cyst size, duration of hospitalization, preoperative and postoperative complications, and detection of inflammatory elements were compared (Student t tests) between pediatric and adult patients.

RESULTS

In the pediatric group, diagnosis was made prenatally in 7 patients, during the neonatal period in 2, and later in 2. Nine were asymptomatic. In the adult group, 20 patients were treated for complications. Thoracotomy was performed in 2 children and thoracoscopy in 9 (no conversion). A thoracoscopic operation was performed in 9 adults (2 conversions), and 17 adults required additional procedures (4 pericardial and 9 lung resections, 3 bronchial, and 1 esophageal sutures). The average length of hospitalization was 4.45 days for children (3.33 days in the thoracoscopic subgroup) and 8 days for adults. Mean maximal cyst diameter was 2.2 cm in children and 6.5 cm in adults (p < 0.10). Pathologic study revealed inflammatory reaction in 2 children (18%) vs 21 adults (84%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early surgical resection of BCs provides better conservation of pulmonary parenchyma, a lower incidence of inflammatory lesions, and a reduced rate of complications, and should be proposed after prenatal diagnosis, between the 6th and 12th month of life.

Prospective study of antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations

PURPOSE

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAMs) are increasingly diagnosed in recent years due to the routine usage of antenatal ultrasound. The aim of this study was to present the natural course and outcome of antenatally diagnosed cystic lung diseases, which were prospectively studied.

METHODS

Between the period June 2004 and June 2010, 25 fetuses with suspected CCAMs were seen in a single tertiary maternal fetal unit. One child was excluded as the fetal MRI suggested congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Data were prospectively entered into a database including antenatal and postnatal findings which were then analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 20.8 weeks (range 17-29). Fetal interventions included amnioreduction (n = 2) and fetal thoracocentesis (n = 3) in one child. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.5 weeks (range 31.6-40.6). None of the mothers underwent termination of pregnancy or spontaneous abortion. All patients underwent postnatal radiological assessment. Of the 24 cases, 5 children were symptomatic in the immediate neonatal period and 19 were asymptomatic. Anatomical surgical resection was undertaken in all symptomatic cases. There was one death in this group due to severe pre-existing pulmonary hypoplasia. Among the 19 asymptomatic cases, 5 children were managed conservatively as the lesions were not significant and the remaining 14 (73%) underwent surgical resection. The mean age at surgery was 11.1 months (range 3.3-34 months). Postnatal pathology confirmed CCAM in all operated cases, except one who had pulmonary sequestration.

CONCLUSION

Antenatally diagnosed CCAMs have an excellent prognosis except in children with a large lesion and associated with lung hypoplasia. Postnatal investigations are required in all cases to confirm the diagnosis. Symptomatic CCAMs require immediate surgery in the neonatal period with a good outcome. Asymptomatic CCAMs can be safely operated between 9 and 12 months of age.

Neonatal outcome after prenatal interventions for congenital lung lesions

Congenital lung lesions, mostly congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAMs) and bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPSs), are uncommon disorders. Prenatal intervention in severely affected (hydropic) fetuses has drastically improved perinatal survival. Not much is known, however, on the short-term and long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcome. Several small case series have been reported and suggest an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity, mainly associated with prematurity and respiratory failure at birth. Overall, neonatal mortality and morbidity after prenatal interventions for CCAM seems to be worse than for BPS. This review focuses on the neonatal outcome after prenatal intervention for congenital lung lesions and summarizes the results reported in the literature.

New and/or improved aspects of fetal surgery

Open fetal surgery through a wide hysterotomy is no longer a real option for prenatal intervention, but a minimally invasive approach has emerged as treatment for a small number of indications. Endoscopic ablation of placental vessels is the preferred treatment for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and it may be the only chance to salvage the most severe forms of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Several other indications are currently under review and may become justified in the future, provided that diagnostic accuracy and patient selection become more accurate. Before invasive fetal intervention becomes widely accepted, however, we need to better define outcome. It is no longer acceptable to express results in terms of survival at birth. Survival at discharge and long-term morbidity must be considered as well.

Fetal tumors: imaging features

Although fetal tumors are rare, the prognostic and decision-making implications are substantial. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to highlight the most common tumors encountered during fetal imaging and to discuss the respective typical imaging findings. When appropriate, limited additional information regarding further considerations for patient care will be included.

Fetal cystic lung lesions: evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the contribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the diagnosis of fetal cystic lung lesions found on routine prenatal ultrasound (US).

STUDY DESIGN

Experienced radiologists retrospectively reviewed 34 fetal MRI studies performed in 20 fetuses (from 20 to 35 gestational weeks; including 14 repeat studies 10 weeks after the initial MRI), focusing on shape, signal characteristics, feeding artery, volume change, and location of the cystic lesions. Diagnoses were confirmed after birth by postnatal multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and/or surgery.

RESULTS

Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) in the second trimester appeared as a well-defined, homogeneous, hyperintense mass (pure BPS) in eight cases or as a lobulated, inhomogeneous hyperintense mass (BPS mixed with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM)) in three cases. The feeding artery was visible in all 11 cases in the initial MRI, and regression of the mass was seen in 7 cases. As the mass regressed in the third trimester, the signal intensity decreased, becoming inhomogeneous, and the margins became lobulated. The mean initial ratio of the volume of the BPS lesion to the ipsilateral lung in lesions with partial regression was 82%; the mean initial ratio in lesions with nearly complete regression was 61%. CCAM (6) cases also appeared as a hyperintense lobulated mass, and as the lesions regressed, they decreased in size and signal intensity. As with BPS, the larger the lesion on initial MRI, the less likely it was to regress completely. Congenital lobar fluid overload in three cases appeared as a hyperintense, homogeneous lobe with stretched hilar vessels.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal MRI is useful as a diagnostic tool complementary to US for evaluating fetal cystic lung lesions. Smaller lung lesions (<60%) may regress completely.

Experience with a multidisciplinary antenatal diagnosis and management model in fetal medicine

BACKGROUND

Fetal medicine is a new and evolving specialty. Complex fetal conditions may require the multidisciplinary input of clinicians from many different specialties.

METHODS

Referral of fetal patients was made to a multidisciplinary antenatal diagnosis and management (MADAM) board if more than one specialty (in addition to maternal-fetal medicine) needed to be intimately involved in the evaluation or care of the fetus; consultation would probably lead to alterations in fetal or perinatal management; or development or revision of management guidelines was anticipated. The case log of the MADAM conferences was reviewed retrospectively for number and type of fetal anomalies, and outcome of the presentation to the MADAM board.

RESULTS

During a 5-year period, 1% of 25654 pregnant women who were evaluated required consultations with individual pediatric and pediatric surgical specialists. Of these, 114 patients were referred to one of 77 MADAM conferences for consensus recommendation. Of these 77 discussions, 32 (42%) led to an alteration in prenatal management, 14 (18%) led to co-ordination of postnatal management and 12 (16%) led to the establishment of a new treatment guideline, or the modification of an existing one. In all, perinatal management was altered in 75% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The MADAM model functions as a forum for exchange of up-to-date scientific information, development of evidence-based treatment protocols and continuity of care through the pre-, peri- and postnatal periods.

Management of the upper airway and congenital cystic lung diseases in neonates

Congenital upper airway obstruction can pose difficult problems immediately after birth. Newer strategies to maintain the airway in such situations include pharyngeal ventilation, the laryngeal mask airway and flexible fibreoptic intubation. These methods have decreased the potential for malformations such as Pierre Robin sequence to cause perinatal hypoxia. The most devastating upper airway problem is total obstruction at the supraglottic, glottic or tracheal level without tracheo-oesophageal communication. This can usually be detected prenatally and its management may include the use of the EXIT (ex-utero intrapartum) procedure. Congenital space-occupying lesions of the lung can be detected prenatally with ultrasound. Their management must be individualised, as their pre- and postnatal development is difficult to predict. Very large lesions can lead to lung hypoplasia or fetal hydrops. Management may include prenatal surgery, shunting and, rarely, an EXIT procedure during birth. A few children may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation postnatally.

Perinatal management of common neonatal thoracic lesions

Esophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, bronchopulmonary malformations and cystic lung diseases are the common neonatal thoracic surgical lesions encountered in practice. The availability of antenatal ultrasonography has lead to these lesions being detected before birth. Antenatal diagnosis can be made with a fair degree of accuracy in tertiary fetal medicine centres. Antenatal intervention is limited in a very few centres in the western world and not being done in India at present. The outcome of these babies with antenatal diagnosis of thoracic lesions has changed in the last decade. Earlier intervention is now possible in cystic lung disease before infectious complication has set in. All these lesions are managed exclusively in well developed neonatal surgery units with excellent outcome in the western world. The present study reviews the antenatal detection, clinical presentation, interventional/surgical procedures [antenatally and postnatally] and outcome of these common neonatal thoracic surgical lesions.

Congenital cystic lung disease: contemporary antenatal and postnatal management

Congenital cystic lung disease comprises a broad spectrum of rare but clinically significant developmental abnormalities, including congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformations, bronchopulmonary sequestrations, bronchogenic cysts, and congenital lobar emphysema that result from perturbations in lung and airway embryogenesis. As congenital lung lesions are now more commonly recognized antenatally, mothers require accurate prenatal counseling and appropriate perinatal management. In light of long-term complications of infection and malignancy, there is growing consensus that infants with asymptomatic lesions should undergo elective excision of congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformation (CPAM) or bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS). This review will focus on advancements and current practice in the diagnosis and management of CPAM and BPS, identifying aspects of the literature that are confusing or controversial. Although our knowledge and pre- and postnatal management of lung lesions will continue to evolve and improve, there is a compelling need for a unified clinical and pathological classification system that creates a common platform for discussion, clinical management, and research.

Fetal surgery

Fetal surgery has emerged from the realm of medical curiosity into an exciting, multidisciplinary specialty now capable of improving patient outcomes for a wide variety of diseases. Recent advances allow prenatal providers to both accurately diagnose and treat many fetal anomalies while maintaining maternal safety. As the initial postnatal health care providers to the majority of these newborns, neonatologists need to be familiar with some of the more recent state-of-the-art procedures currently being used. In this review, the authors discuss the prenatal evaluation process and various operative approaches (ie, open hysterotomy, fetoscopy, and percutaneous) to conduct fetal surgery. They then analyze the effectiveness of some of the more established and experimental prenatal therapies that are being performed for a number of fetal anomalies, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome, thoracic malformations, airway obstruction, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, myelomeningocele, and aortic valve stenosis.

Neonatal pulmonary sequestration: clinical experience with transumbilical arterial embolization

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare congenital malformation of the lower respiratory tract. The exact natural course of PS is not well understood and there are no well-established treatment guidelines for antenatally diagnosed PS. The aim of this study was to describe clinical outcomes in neonates with PS and to evaluate the efficacy of transumbilical arterial embolization (TUE). From 1998 to 2006, total 30 neonatal cases were included. Serial antenatal ultrasound in 26 cases found 6 (23%) regressed lesions, all of which were demonstrated on postnatal chest CT. Six (20%) cases were classified as mixed-type (combined cystic) lesions. Surgery was performed early (during initial hospitalization) in two cases and lately (after the neonatal period) in four cases. TUE was performed for 17 (57%) cases of intrapulmonary PS. Follow-up images obtained a median of 19 months (range, 4-51) after TUE demonstrated complete (9, 53%), partial (5, 29%), and no (3, 18%) regression. The regression rate was significantly higher in solid-type lesions (13/13, 100%) than in mixed-type (1/4, 25%) (P = 0.006). Complications included transient hypertension (two cases, 12%), post-embolization fever (two cases, 12%) and migration of a microcoil (one case, 6%), without long-term morbidities. Natural courses could be observed in 10 cases of extralobar PS and regression was observed in 2 cases (20%) during a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 6-45). A well-designed comparative study is warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of TUE.

Characteristics of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations associated with nonimmune hydrops and outcome

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In fetuses with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations of the lung (CCAMs), hydrops fetalis and large masses are associated with poor outcomes. This study attempts to (1) determine sonographic features (in addition to large size) that correlate with hydrops and (2) characterize the features that correlate with outcome among hydropic fetuses.

METHOD

Charts and sonograms of fetuses with large, unilateral CCAMs were retrospectively reviewed. Mass features evaluated included laterality, macrocystic/microcystic, cystic/solid predominance, degree of mediastinal shift, retrocardiac component, diaphragm eversion, polyhydramnios, and mass-thorax ratio (MTR). Features of hydrops included degree of ascites, scalp and integumentary edema, pleural/pericardial effusion, and placentomegaly.

RESULTS

Thirty-six fetuses with large CCAMs were studied: 27 with and 9 without hydrops. Three sonographic features were significantly associated with hydrops: MTR of at least 0.56, cystic predominance of mass, and eversion of hemidiaphragm. Of 27 fetuses with hydrops, 10 (37%) demonstrated all 3 features compared with none in those without hydrops (P = .04). All 9 nonhydropic fetuses were expectantly managed, and 100% survived. In the hydropic group, none of the expectantly managed fetuses survived, and 10 (43%) of the 21 fetuses who underwent fetal intervention survived.

CONCLUSION

Three features of large CCAMs were significantly associated with hydrops: MTR, cystic predominance, and diaphragm eversion. Identification of these features will allow clinicians to accurately predict which fetuses may warrant closer follow-up and possible treatment.

Evolving experience with video-assisted thoracic surgery in congenital cystic lung lesions in a British pediatric center

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is increasingly used for the resection of congenital cystic lung lesions (CLLs). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of VATS and its outcome in both antenatally and postnatally detected CLLs.

METHODS

Forty-six patients managed during 2000-2005 were studied. Demographics, investigations, operative details, and outcome data were collected and evaluated. Patients were divided into 3 groups for analysis.

RESULTS

Antenatally diagnosed (groups I and II, n = 35): group I (20) had VATS at 20 months median (range, 16-35 months). Video-assisted thoracic surgery was successful in 14 of 20 (70%), notably in all cases of extralobar sequestrations and foregut duplication cysts. Inadequate vision/lung collapse and technical difficulties were the main reasons for conversion to open thoracotomy. Group II (n = 15) was considered unsuitable for VATS because of neonatal symptoms (6 congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations of the lung [CCAMs]) and/or large size/inexperience (5 CCAMs, 4 sequestrations) and had elective thoracotomy at 8 months median (range, 6 days-20 months). Postnatally diagnosed (group III, n = 11): 3 CCAMs, 6 duplications, and 2 sequestrations were diagnosed because of recurrent chest infection (8) or stridor (2), or incidentally (1) at 8 years median (range, 1.2-14 years). Video-assisted thoracic surgery was successful in 3 foregut duplications. A duplication and an intralobar sequestration were converted; open thoracotomy was performed in others because of previous recurrent pneumonic episodes. Postoperative pain and hospital stay were significantly less (P < .001) in successful VATS resection: median of 2 days (range, 1-7 days) compared with thoracotomy median of 6 days (range, 4-20 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracic surgery is a safe and effective option for asymptomatic congenital CLLs. It is anticipated that more successful CCAM resections using VATS will occur in the future as our technical ability improves.

Congenital lung malformations in the second trimester: prenatal ultrasound diagnosis and pathologic findings

PURPOSE

To correlate prenatal sonographic diagnosis of cystic lung malformations with fetopathologic findings after termination of pregnancy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 16 terminated cases in which a cystic lung lesion was diagnosed pre- or postnatally.

RESULTS

On average, prenatal diagnosis was established on the 21(st) gestational week (range, 19-26 weeks). The cause of termination was severe polyhydramnios in 4 cases, nonimmune fetal hydrops in 4 cases, other congenital malformation in 5 cases (renal malformation, 2 cases; congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 3 cases), and obstetrical conditions (intrauterine death, placental abruption, spontaneous abortion) in 3 cases. In 11 cases, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) was the presumptive prenatal diagnosis. Autopsy confirmed the prenatal diagnosis in 6 of them, while in the other 5 cases, an enteric cyst, a laryngeal atresia, an unidentified tumor, a pulmonary hypoplasia, and an extralobar pulmonary sequestration were found on histologic examination. On the other hand, the autopsy revealed CCAM in those 5 cases in which other malformations were suggested prenatally.

CONCLUSION

The prenatal sonographic diagnosis of CCAM is difficult. Our cases emphasize the important role of fetopathology even today in the verification of prenatal diagnosis based on sonographic examinations.

Large fetal congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations: growth trends and patient survival

PURPOSE

The prognosis for fetuses with large congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAMs) remains uncertain. This study examined the natural history of large fetal CCAMs managed expectantly at a major referral center.

METHODS

A 5-year retrospective review was conducted on fetuses diagnosed with a thoracic lesion (n = 59). Large CCAMs were identified on prenatal imaging and followed longitudinally. Perinatal outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Twelve (20.3%) fetuses had large CCAMs in the absence of other congenital anomalies. Peak CCAM size occurred at 25.3 +/- 3.6 weeks' gestation. Serial magnetic resonance volumetry demonstrated a trend toward decreasing CCAM mass volume relative to thoracic cavity volume over time. Overall, 6 patients, including 3 with signs of early hydrops, showed a marked regression of their lesions relative to estimated fetal weight. Five fetuses required an emergent intervention postnatally, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (n = 1), cyst aspiration (n = 1), and lung resection (n = 5). Overall survival was 75%, with severe hydrops before 30 weeks seen in all 3 deaths.

CONCLUSION

Large fetal CCAMs tend to peak in size at 25 weeks' gestation and are characterized by in utero diminution relative to overall fetal growth. The prognosis for most fetuses with large CCAMs remains quite favorable under careful perinatal management.

Clinicopathologic assessment of prenatally diagnosed lung diseases

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical features and pathologic diagnosis of prenatally diagnosed lung diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 28 fetuses with prenatally diagnosed lung diseases were reviewed with regard to perinatal courses, ultrasonographic measurement of the lesion volume ratio, and the histopathology of lung tissue.

RESULTS

Of the 23 fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), 4 required an emergency lobectomy (1 prenatally and 3 postnatally), whereas the other 14 showed uneventful courses after birth. The pathologic diagnosis of the resected lungs included CCAM (n = 4), lobar emphysema (n = 2), intralobar sequestration (n = 2), and bronchial atresia (n = 1). The peak value of the lesion volume ratio was significantly higher in the CCAM cases that required urgent surgery than in the non-CCAM cases (2.29 +/- 0.46 vs 1.20 +/- 0.21, P < .001). The ratio decreased after the 25th to the 30th week to less than 1.0 in the 5 non-CCAM cases, but remained higher than 2.0 in the 4 CCAM cases. Prenatally diagnosed extralobar pulmonary sequestration caused massive pleural effusion requiring a fetal intervention in 4 of the 5 fetuses.

CONCLUSIONS

The prenatally diagnosed lung lesions include various kinds of pulmonary diseases. Regardless of the diseases, sequential ultrasonographic assessment may predict perinatal risks.

Percutaneous Thoracic Drainage in Neonates: Catheter Drainage versus Treatment with Aspiration Alone

PURPOSE

To retrospectively compare thoracic drainage in neonates by using catheter and aspiration techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Approval was obtained from the institutional research ethics board; informed consent from parents was waived. Retrospective review of 21 neonates (19 boys, two girls; mean gestational age, 39.3 weeks) who underwent percutaneous thoracic drainage during a 9-year period was performed. Data such as indication for drainage, type of drainage, age and weight at birth, corrected age and weight at the time of drainage, use of mechanical ventilation at the time of drainage, and outcomes were collected. Drainage was considered successful if the collection was treated without additional surgical or radiologic intervention. Fisher exact test and two-tailed unpaired student t test with a confidence level of 95% (unequal variances assumed) were used to compare neonates treated with a catheter and those treated with aspiration.

RESULTS

Image-guided therapy was used to treat pleural effusion (29%, n = 6), chylothorax (24%, n = 5), empyema (19%, n = 4), pneumothorax (14%, n = 3), mediastinal seroma (10%, n = 3), and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (5%, n = 1). Sixteen (76%) infants were treated with catheter placement, with a success rate of 81% (13 of 16). Five (24%) infants were treated with simple aspiration with no success. The difference in success rates was significant (P = .003). There was no significant difference between the catheter placement and aspiration groups in terms of average age, average weight, and percentage dependent on mechanical ventilation. One complication (cellulitis) was directly related to catheter drainage. In cases where treatment was successful, the mean length of the chest tube placement was 13.5 days, and there were no deaths at follow-up. In cases where treatment failed, the long-term mortality rate was 50% (four of eight).

CONCLUSION

Image-guided percutaneous thoracic drainage success rates are improved if drainage catheters are placed rather than if aspiration alone is performed.

Congenital bronchopulmonary foregut malformations: concepts and controversies

This article addresses the scope, etiology, important associations and imaging features of congenital bronchopulmonary foregut malformations. Etiologic concepts, including airway obstruction and vascular anomalies, are highlighted. Technical imaging advances, especially CT and MR, have greatly enhanced our diagnostic abilities in evaluating these lesions; however, thorough and careful assessment of all aspects of the malformation is still necessary. Several specific lesions are discussed in more detail, particularly regarding controversial issues in classification, understanding, imaging and management.

Perinatal management of congenital cystic lung lesions in the age of minimally invasive surgery

BACKGROUND

Most congenital cystic lung lesions (CCLLs) do not require in utero or perinatal intervention. The management of asymptomatic lesions is controversial: the theoretical risk of infection and malignancy is offset by whether thoracotomy in asymptomatic children is justified. We examined our recent experience and the role of minimally invasive surgery.

METHODS

We analyzed the pre-, peri-, and postnatal findings of all consecutive CCLLs diagnosed between 1997 and 2005. We reviewed records for pre-, and postnatal imaging, management, and outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty-five CCLL were diagnosed prenatally. Since 2000, all asymptomatic lesions were removed endoscopically at 6 to 18 months (thoracoscopy for 6 extralobar sequestrations, 3 intralobar sequestrations/congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations, 5 bronchogenic cysts, and retroperitoneal laparoscopy for 2 intraabdominal sequestrations). Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation elements were present in more than 70%. Two abdominal lesions have regressed, and 2 patients are awaiting intervention. One symptomatic infant underwent thoracotomy for congenital lobar emphysema.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been argued that the risks associated with congenital lung lesions (infection and malignancy) justify intervention in the asymptomatic patient. In our experience, all these lesions could be safely removed using endosurgical techniques. Counseling of (future) parents should be updated to include minimally invasive surgery in the management algorithm.

Management of congenital lung lesions

Antenatally diagnosed lung lesions are most commonly congenital cystic adenomatiod malformations (CCAMs) or bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS). Congenital lobar emphysema and bronchogenic cysts occur rarely. CCAMs and BPS can only be truly distinguished on histopathological assessment. CCAMs can be defined using either Stocker's histological classification, or the clinically more useful 'macrocystic' and 'microcystic' subtypes introduced by Adzick. Adverse pathophysiological effects (e.g. lung hypoplasia, mediastinal shift, caval obstruction and hydrops) can occur with those of larger volume in the developing fetus and are associated with a poor outcome ( approximately 5%). In centres with appropriate expertise, antenatal intervention (e.g. thoracoamniotic shunting) should be considered for such cases. In the postnatal period, early radiological evaluation (e.g. CT scan) is essential as many cases which apparently 'regress' antenatally are still detectable and may be a cause of later morbidity. Early surgical excision is required for symptomatic cases and should also be considered for asymptomatic antenatally diagnosed lesions, because of the risks of later infection and the possibility of malignant transformation. An excellent outcome following surgery can be expected.

Congenital cystic lung lesions: is surgical resection essential?

Can all congenital cystic lung lesions be treated conservatively, without the need for surgery? Our purpose here is to present the morbidity associated with symptomatic cystic lung lesions which have failed to respond to medical treatment. In the past 8 years, 22 consecutive cystic thoracic lesions were retrospectively assessed for clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, operative findings, technical tribulations, and outcome. The endpoint was complete cessation of recurrent pneumonia and dysphagia. Age at presentation was 7.7 +/- 2.2 years, with 4 +/- 2 episodes per year of lower respiratory tract infection, which had been treated for the past 2.6 +/- 0.3 years. Cough and dyspnea (100%) were the common symptoms, with episodes of cyanosis occurring in 58%. Other significant clinical presentations were dysphagia (55%), failure to thrive (55%), chest pain (46%), haemoptysis (18%), and pleuritic pain (18%). Definitive growth was seen in 91% of the excised specimens. Preoperative morbidity resulted from intractable pneumonia, dysphagia, and failure to thrive. Surgical excision was curative. All 22 children after resection are thriving, with an absence of pneumonia and dysphagia, with normal ventilation/perfusion scans, at 48 +/- 6 months of follow-up. In conclusion, surgical excision of a symptomatic cystic lung lesion that has not responded to medical treatment is recommended.

[Diagnosis and treatment of congenital bronchopulmonary malformations. A review of 32 cases]

OBJECTIVES

Analysis of our experience and propositions on the diagnosis and treatment of congenital bronchopulmonary malformations (BPM).

POPULATION AND METHODS

Retrospective study of BPM diagnosed between 1997 and 2001. Analysis of clinical spectrum, diagnosis tools, treatment, and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty-two cases of BPM have been investigated (11 cystic adenomatoid malformations, 7 pulmonary sequestrations, 7 bronchogenic cysts, 4 congenital lobar emphysema, and 3 complex emphysematous malformations). Nineteen patients had a prenatal diagnosis. For 9 others, symptoms occurred before 4 years of age. Evaluation included a CT-scan in all patients (BPM involution in one). Surgical treatment was performed in 30 patients (lobectomy in 18), with a mean age of 7 months for asymptomatic patients. During the follow-up (mean: 3 years), respiratory symptoms were reported in 10 cases, 3 of them were related to the BPM.

DISCUSSION

Improvement in prenatal ultrasound diagnosis modified the management strategy. Considering the risk of pulmonary complications, surgical treatment is required during the first months of life. For congenital lobar emphysema, and some pulmonary sequestrations or small cystic adenomatoid malformations (<3 cm), conservative attitude may be preferred. BPM justify a multidisciplinary management.

Thoracoscopic resection of intra- and extralobar pulmonary sequestration in the first 3 months of life

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic techniques have gained increasing acceptance in pediatric surgery, but experience with newborns and small children is limited. To our knowledge, a series of minimally invasive resection of pulmonary sequestration in newborns has not yet been reported in the literature. We report on 5 patients with pulmonary sequestration thoracoscopically.

METHODS

From November 2000 to November 2002, 5 patients underwent thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary sequestration. Ages ranged from 4 to 91 days. Two patients had postnatal pulmonary symptoms. Preoperative diagnosis was dubious in 4 children. There were 4 extralobar and 1 intralobar pulmonary sequestrations.

RESULTS

Thoracoscopy was performed with 3-mm instruments and 3 to 5 ports. All procedures were completed successfully. The median duration of the operation was 95 minutes (range, 63-117 minutes), and visualization was excellent. Anomalous blood vessels were clipped and/or ligated. Four patients were extubated immediately after the operation, 1, the day after. The postoperative course was uneventful in all children. At follow-up after 14 months (mean; range, 10-19 months), all patients were free of symptoms and had normal chest x-rays.

CONCLUSION

Thoracoscopy is feasible for resection of intra- and extralobar pulmonary sequestrations during the first 3 months of life.

Neonatal outcome of antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the natural history and outcome of antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all cases of fetal CCAM of the lung diagnosed antenatally. All cases were referred to a tertiary center for further management. A computer search identified all referred cases, and the records of these patients were examined to determine the pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

In a 4-year period, 34 cases of fetal CCAM were referred for further management. At presentation, all the cases were noted to be unilateral CCAMs and the majority (79%) were microcystic in nature. The CCAMs were complicated by varying degrees of mediastinal shift (79%) and hydrops fetalis (18%). During the course of the pregnancy, the lung lesion was seen to reduce in size or resolve spontaneously in 76% of cases without any prenatal intervention (including resolution of hydrops in three cases). The overall survival rate into infancy was 88%. One pregnancy was terminated for persisting hydrops fetalis and another resulted in infant death from complications of neonatal cardiac surgery for an associated aortic coarctation.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of antenatally detected CCAM is much better than previously reported even when complicated by hydrops fetalis at presentation. The latter seems to be related to the high spontaneous regression rate of this tumor. Despite the antenatal resolution of CCAMs on ultrasound, postnatal follow-up is recommended in view of the long-term complications of this malformation.

Asymptomatic congenital lung malformations

Congenital lung malformations are often discovered incidentally on routine prenatal sonography or postnatal imaging. Lesions such as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM), sequestrations, bronchogenic cysts and congenital lobar emphysema may be asymptomatic at birth or at the time of discovery later in life. Some authors advocate simple observation because of the lack of data on the incidence of long-term complications. However, there are very few described cases where CCAM and intralobar sequestration have remained asymptomatic throughout life; complications eventually develop in virtually all patients. The most common complication is pneumonia, which may respond poorly to medical treatment. Other complications include the development of malignancies (carcinomas and pleuropulmonary blastomas), pneumothorax and hemoptysis or hemothorax. Since lung resection will be required sooner or later for CCAM, intralobar sequestration and intrapulmonary bronchogenic cysts it is best not to wait for complications to occur. For patients diagnosed prenatally, we recommend surgery at 3 to 6 months of life at the latest, so that compensatory lung growth can occur. At this age the postoperative course is usually smooth and long-term follow-up has shown normal respiratory function. Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts also tend to become symptomatic and elective resection is recommended. On the other hand, asymptomatic congenital lobar emphysema may regress spontaneously and observation is warranted. The management of small noncommunicating extralobar sequestrations is more controversial; it is known that these lesions can remain asymptomatic throughout life but complications may develop and they are sometimes difficult to differentiate from neuroblastoma.

The management of asymptomatic congenital lung malformations

Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM) and lung sequestration are often discovered on routine prenatal sonography. While some lesions may be large and cause serious complications in the fetus or newborn, many will be asymptomatic at birth. Some authors advocate simple observation because of the lack of data on the incidence of long-term complications. However, there are very few described cases where CPAM and intralobar sequestration (ILS) have remained asymptomatic throughout life; complications eventually develop in virtually all patients. The most common complication is pneumonia, which may respond poorly to medical treatment. Other complications include the development of malignancies (carcinomas and pleuropulmonary blastomas), pneumothorax and hemoptysis or hemothorax. Since lung resection will be required sooner or later for CPAM and ILS, it is best not to wait for complications to occur. We recommend surgery at 3 to 6 months of life at the latest, to allow compensatory lung growth to occur. At this age the postoperative course is usually smooth and long-term follow- up has shown normal respiratory function. The management of small non- communicating extralobar sequestrations is more controversial; it is known that these can remain asymptomatic throughout life but complications may develop and they are sometimes difficult to differentiate from neuroblastoma.

Current outcome of antenally diagnosed cystic lung disease

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The natural history of parenchymal lung lesions such as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) and pulmonary sequestration (PS) has been altered by the advent of antenatal ultrasonography. Initial reports were characterized by a high (about 30%) incidence of adverse features (eg, hydrops) and a poor outcome and did not accord with our recent experience. The authors have reviewed the outcome of fetuses that had been diagnosed in a large tertiary referral fetal medicine unit with the aim of delineating current experience. The term cystic lung disease was used throughout to avoid unjustifiable histologic precision.

METHODS

The scans of all fetuses that had been diagnosed with cystic lung disease between January 1995 and July 2001 were reviewed. The outcome of each pregnancy was established, and, where possible, all infants underwent appropriate investigations, including thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven fetuses had a cystic lung abnormality diagnosed from January 1995 to July 2001. The median (range) age at diagnosis was 21 (19 to 28) weeks. The lesion was right sided in 29 (43%), left in 36 (54%), and bilateral in 2 (3%); it was characterized as dominantly macrocystic in 27 (40%), microcystic in 35 (52%), and mixed in 5 (8%). Mediastinal shift was present in 30 fetuses (45%). Severe signs of fetal distress (eg, hydrops) were present in 5 fetuses (7%). Antenatal intervention was performed in 4 fetuses (thoraco-amniotic shunts [n = 3] and percutaneous intrauterine laser therapy [n = 1]). Sixty-four (96%) of the fetuses were born alive. There was 1 termination of pregnancy and 2 intrauterine deaths (all severe microcystic lesions). Forty-two infants (63%) underwent thoracotomy and appropriate excisional surgery at a median of 7.5 months (range, 1 day to 34 months). Two infants (which included the fetus having intrauterine laser therapy) died early in the postnatal period. Both were large microcystic lesions and had antenatal features of severe fetal distress. Twelve infants were investigated in the postnatal period but did not undergo surgery. Ten infants were not appropriately investigated or were lost to follow-up. Histologic examination showed definitive diagnostic features of CCAM (n = 25) or PS (n = 6). Other lesions with hybrid features of both were also seen (n = 11). There was a degree of correlation between antenatal ultrasound features (size of cyst [P =.03], in-utero behavior [P =.06], mediastinal shift [P = 0.05]) and the need for surgery but not with the final histologic diagnosis. Surgical excision was required in 45% of lesions showing late-gestation "resolution."

CONCLUSIONS

Antenatally diagnosed "cystic lung disease" has an excellent prognosis in the absence of signs of severe fetal distress. The need for surgery should be based on appropriate postnatal investigations (eg, CT scans), rather than on antenatal behavior.